Japan provides FJ $5.5 Million Grant Aid to Fiji

The Government of Japan as part of its strengthened support towards Fiji’s development has equipped the Fiji Police Force with Maritime Safety and Security equipment, valued at FJ$5.5m under its Economic Social Development Programme (ESDP).

The Permanent Secretary of the Office of the Prime Minister, Mr. Yogesh Karan and the Ambassador of Japan, His Excellency Mr. Masahiro Omura formalized Japan’s assistance to the Government of Fiji at an Exchange of Notes signing held this morning at the Prime Minister’s Office in Suva.

Ambassador Omura said the assistance will enhance the Fiji Police Force capabilities to intensify its reach out and services to the nation. Japan has also pledged strengthened collaboration to broaden Fiji’s socioeconomic development opportunities.

“This assistance is expected to improve the Fiji Police Force’s coast guard capacity by providing the lifeboats and other maritime safety equipment, which can be used for search rescue efforts in coastal areas when the disaster strikes. This positively impacts Fiji’s disaster prevention and mitigation efforts and therefore contributes towards nation’s sustainable development.

“As a way forward we would like to especially promote positive development cooperation with Fiji in line with the “Free and Open Indo Pacific Strategy.” This provision of maritime safety equipment to the Fiji Police Force is an important step in that direction,” Ambassador Omura said. PS Karan thanked the Government of Japan for its generosity and support towards Fiji.

“The Fijian Government greatly values the partnership shared between our two nations and acknowledges the importance in building resilient communities. Thank you for the Aid, you had provided during the rehabilitation program for the TC Winston. Last year Japan’s grant aid Economic and Social Development programme funded the procurement of farming equipment to assist the Fijian farmers,” Mr. Karan said.

“We thank the people and Government of Japan for assisting the Fiji Police Force under this Grant Aid. The procurement of Maritime Safety Security Equipment for the Fiji Police Force will ensure that our law enforcement officers are better equipped to carry out their role in search and rescue especially during and after disaster,” Mr Karan elaborated.

Japan’s grant aid, the ‘Economic Social Development Programme’ is a type of assistance which supports the socio-economic development efforts, including poverty reduction, of developing countries. The ESDP has a facility through Japan’s International Cooperation Systems (JICS) to enable import of goods, machinery and other amenities necessary to promote national development efforts of recipient countries.